The median sales price for an existing home in Washoe County soared 31 percent in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2012, the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors reported today.

Additionally, the median sales price rose 3 percent from the fourth quarter to $190,200. For the month of March, the median sales price was $195,000, a 30 percent jump from March 2012 and a 3 percent increase from February.

Total existing-home sales declined 11 percent in March from a year earlier and a 15 percent drop from February, and for the first quarter, sales fell 12 percent compared with first-quarter 2012, the report showed.

– RGJ staff report

IMAX theater construction starts at Outlets at Legends in Sparks

Construction has started for the Galaxy IMAX theater on the west side of the Outlets at Legends in Sparks. (Andy Barron/RGJ)

Dirt is moving at the site of the new Galaxy IMAX Theatres at the Outlets at Legends in Sparks.

Bulldozers and excavators were seen preparing the site off the main courtyard between Scheels and Nike Factory Store this week.

Dennis McGovern, general manager of the center, said he doesn't have an opening date for the theater.

The Legends theater complex will have 12 screens, including 3-D options and Galaxy’s first IMAX auditorium, according to Galaxy officials in an previous report. It will hire about 40 to 50 people.

Galaxy owns more than a dozen theaters across four states, including the 10-screen Fandango complex in Carson City.

The project will cost about $11.5 million for construction, with more than $1 million being devoted to the IMAX portion, according to officials in September. Another $4 million will be needed to furnish the theater.